He also had to find a certified contractor to draw up a general plan for the project to take to the Russian standards agency, which would then oversee every detail of the construction work no doubt finding many more snags along the way.

ECONOMIST: A survey of Russia

So there are snags aplenty, but there is no denying the fact that health reform has come further this year than it has in decades.

ECONOMIST: The Senate starts to debate health reform, at long last

Here at home, we can expect snags, says Kelsey, who suspects there's a reason no single government agency is rushing to lead the charge.

NPR: A Year Out, Digital TV Picture Still Far from Sharp